Training Notes and News

Nastar Center to train Virgin Galactic clients

Just as today's flight students undergo a lot of training to prepare them to fly an aircraft safely, tomorrow's adventurers need training to prep them for space flight. Virgin Galactic has tapped the National Aerospace Training and Research (Nastar) Center in Southampton, Pennsylvania, to provide training for Virgin Galactic's sub-orbital space travelers.

First on the student roster are the Founders, the first 100 private space travelers scheduled to take Virgin Galactic's suborbital flights. In sessions scheduled from September through November, they'll undergo two days of training that will include a foundation in aerospace physiology concepts and training in a centrifuge. They'll also participate in a high-fidelity simulation of the launch into space, "including the real Gz and Gx forces," Nastar said. Gz is the g-force experienced up and down the spine, while Gx is the force felt through the chest.

Virgin Galactic is taking reservations for flights in 2009; the cost of a flight is $200,000, and deposits start at $20,000. View a video walkthrough of the Nastar Center at the Web site.

When airlines attack: Nonsensical funding arguments from the big-iron set

As the FAA funding debate wears on, the airlines have stepped up their argument that they shouldn't have to pay fuel taxes, and that the cost of paying for the FAA's modernization should be born by every segment of aviation except them.

If any sense of community existed among segments of civil aviation, it's been seriously jeopardized. The airlines have made the debate a platform for invoking every unflattering stereotype to put general aviation interests on the offensive.

American, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, and United all have published editorials in their seat-back vanity magazines. Perhaps you've seen one while traveling on a commercial flight. These articles advance the idea that GA is to blame for delays on the tarmac and other problems, but go further. One AOPA member reported that on a Delta flight, the captain came on the intercom to urge passengers to read an article in Delta's Sky magazine. The article mentioned the urgency of modernizing the ATC system, then went on to say that the airlines pay 92 percent of the cost of ATC operations, and only use 70 percent of the capacity. The remaining capacity, according to the article, is used by corporate jets that require the same handling as commercial airliners but only pay a fraction of the cost. The article apparently failed to mention the higher fuel taxes paid by corporate turbine operations, or the fact that GA operations play a vital part in the U.S. economy, or that GA accounts for only single-digit percentages of traffic at most airline airports.

The airlines' goal in pushing this propaganda down passengers' throats is clear--have Congress approve a tax bailout by shifting billions of dollars of their costs to GA. This is in spite of the fact that GA pays 8.6 percent of the taxes into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, doesn't use large airports much at all (it accounts for less than 4 percent of operations at the 10 busiest airports in the nation), and already pays according to its usage via fuel taxes.

We'll keep you posted as the drama surrounding the resolution of the House and Senate versions of the bill continues. See our Web site for the latest news on the FAA funding debate.

School News

Bridgewater State loses Delta Connection Academy
The aviation program at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, was without a flight school at the beginning of the fall semester after learning in August that Delta Connection Academy (DCA) would not renew its contract to provide flight training services. A story in the online publication South Coast Today said DCA was to close its facility at New Bedford Regional Airport and redeploy its aircraft to other locations. Low enrollment in the aviation program was cited as a factor in DCA's decision, but a Bridgewater State spokesman said the college "had no reason to believe there were any problems, especially in light of increasing enrollment." Enrollment in the flight school had increased 25 percent over the five years that DCA had provided flight training for the college, he said. In the meantime, the college was making arrangements with other flight schools at New Bedford as well as at airports in Mansfield and Plymouth.

Embry-Riddle earns top college ranking
Once again, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has earned a top ranking in the U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges" guide. Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus took first place in the specialty category of "aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering programs" at schools where the highest degree is a master's. The U.S. Air Force Academy was second, and Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Arizona, campus ranked third in that category.

WAI, Ninety-Nines offer scholarships

Women in Aviation Inc. has announced the availability of scholarship applications for 2008. See the Web site for a current scholarship list, guidelines for applying, and where to download the official application in pdf format. "In the past 10 years WAI has disbursed more than $4.5 million to its members," WAI said. Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2007.

In other scholarship news, the Eastern New England Chapter of The Ninety-Nines is offering four scholarships in 2008. The Marie Lepore Memorial Scholarship and the Karla Carroll Memorial Scholarship are open to men and women and are for $1,000 each. The $1,000 William Bridge Scholarship is open to women with at least a private pilot certificate. The chapter also offers a $1,000 scholarship in memory of New Hampshire pilot Shirley Mahn. All scholarships require a New England connection such as residency or college work. Applications must be postmarked by January 31, 2008. For criteria and applications, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to Olga Mitchell, 10 Glory Lane, East Falmouth, Massachusetts 02536, or e-mail.

Aviation Explorers receive scholarships

Aviation Exploring, a youth development program centered around aviation careers, recently awarded scholarships to 10 Aviation Explorers. Professional degree scholarships valued at $10,000 each were awarded to Matthew Dreher of Sherman, Illinois, and Daniel Sheehy of Topeka, Kansas. Pilot certificate scholarships valued at $3,000 were awarded to Andrew Dinmore of Pearl City, Hawaii; Nathan Hatfield of Elizabethton, Tennessee; John Lyons of Hoosick Falls, New York; and Charles Edward Watson of Lebanon, Tennessee. An avionics scholarship valued at $3,000 was awarded to Peter Ehrlich of Argyle, New York. A $3,000 maintenance scholarship was awarded to Daniel A. Gubernath of Bucyrus, Ohio. Management scholarships valued at $3,000 were presented to Lane Forhetz of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Justin Horvath of Racine, Wisconsin. Aviation Explorers interested in pursuing scholarship opportunities for 2008 may download an application at the Web site.

What's in AOPA Pilot?

Here's what you're missing if you don't read AOPA Pilot, the association's flagship magazine published each month for certificated pilots.

• Columbia 400: A whole lot of get up and go. This speedy model is sure to become a classic.
• A Waco for Miss Johnston: A biplane with a past.
• Flagship 3701: A lack of professionalism leads to loss of life.
• FAA Funding Debate: Airline attacks. The airlines mount a publicity campaign that's as self-conscious as it is inaccurate.

Are you ready to read about more advanced subjects such as these? Just as pilots upgrade to more advanced certificates, it might be time for you to upgrade your magazine. You can convert your paid membership to AOPA Pilot at any time by calling AOPA toll-free (800/USA-AOPA).

Final Exam

Final Exam is composed of questions similar to those a student may expect on the private pilot knowledge test. Answers are researched by members of the AOPA Pilot Information Center staff and may be found below.

1. The numbers 9 and 27 on a runway indicate that the runway is oriented approximately
1. 9 degrees and 27 degrees true.
2. 90 degrees and 270 degrees true.
3. 90 degrees and 270 degrees magnetic.
2. Where is the available landing distance (ALD) data published for an airport that utilizes land and hold short operations (LAHSO)?
1. Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD).
2. Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
3. 14 CFR Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules.
3. If an altimeter setting is not available before flight, to which altitude should the pilot adjust the altimeter?
1. The elevation of the nearest airport corrected to mean sea level.
2. The elevation of the departure area.
3. Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.
4. When making routine transponder code changes, pilots should avoid inadvertent selection of which codes?
1. 0700, 1700, 7000
2. 1200, 1500, 7000
3. 7500, 7600, 7700
5. In which type of airspace are VFR flights prohibited?
1. Class A
2. Class B
3. Class C
6. If air traffic control advises that radar service is terminated when the pilot is departing Class C airspace, the transponder should be set to code
1. 0000.
2. 1200.
3. 4096.
7. How can you determine if another aircraft is on a collision course with your aircraft?
1. The other aircraft will always appear to get larger and closer at a rapid rate.
2. The nose of each aircraft is pointed at the same point in space.
3. There will be no apparent relative motion between your aircraft and the other aircraft.
8. Wingtip vortices are created only when an aircraft is
1. operating at high airspeeds.
2. heavily loaded.
3. developing lift.
9. Airport taxiway edge lights are identified at night by
1. white directional lights.
2. blue omnidirectional lights.
3. alternating red and green lights.
10. Why is frost considered hazardous to flight?
1. Frost changes the basic aerodynamic shape of the airfoils, thereby decreasing lift.
2. Frost slows the airflow over the airfoils, thereby increasing control effectiveness.
3. Frost spoils the smooth flow of air over the wings, thereby decreasing lifting capability.
11. If the temperature/dew point spread is small and decreasing, and the temperature is 62 degrees Fahrenheit, what type weather is most likely to develop?
1. Freezing precipitation.
2. Thunderstorms.
3. Fog or low clouds.

Final Exam Answers

1. The correct answer is C. Runway numbers are magnetic, and rounded to the nearest 10-degree increment, with the last zero dropped. For example, a runway oriented 273 degrees would be rounded to 270 degrees, and the last zero dropped to become Runway 27. A pilot can verify that he or she is on the correct runway by cross-checking the runway numbers to the compass or directional gyro.
2. The correct answer is A. The Airport/Facility Directory will publish the runways affected, and the runway lengths available when LAHSO operations are in effect. Remember, a pilot is not required to accept a LAHSO clearance, but accepting one does require a pilot to comply with the specific procedure for the runway in use.
3. The correct answer is B. If no altimeter setting is available at the departure airport, set the altimeter to the field elevation. The field elevation can be found on sectional charts, in the Airport/Facility Directory, or on signs posted around the airport.
4. The correct answer is C. The selection of codes 7500, 7600, or 7700 (the hijack, lost communications, and emergency codes, respectively) even for a moment can raise attention from ATC. While newer transponders can change from one code to the next without cycling through other codes, older transponders require more caution. Place the unit in standby mode while switching the codes, then resume mode A or C squawking with the proper code selected.
5. The correct answer is A. All aircraft flying in Class A airspace must be on an IFR flight plan, regardless of the weather. Both VFR and IFR operations are permitted in all other classes of airspace, B through G.
6. The correct answer is B. After radar services have been terminated, the discrete code you have been using is no longer appropriate and the transponder should be set to 1200, the VFR code. ATC may give the instruction to "squawk VFR"; whether the instruction is received or not, the pilot should resume squawking 1200 after radar service is terminated.
7. The correct answer is C. If two aircraft are converging on a collision course, the other aircraft will appear to be stationary. This is best determined by picking a reference point in your airplane (such as a door post, wing tip, etc.) and watching how the other aircraft moves in relation to the point. Aircraft rarely become gradually larger as they approach. Remember your right-of-way rules when avoiding other aircraft.
8. The correct answer is C. An aircraft begins to generate vortices at rotation, and vortex generation ends just after touchdown. A heavy aircraft operating slowly creates the strongest vortices, but any aircraft wing producing lift creates vortices regardless of speed or weight.

AOPA members can discuss these or any aviation questions with Pilot Information Center staff by calling 800/USA-AOPA or sending an e-mail.